‘Uke Runners’ Will Sing, Play Ukulele While Running To Raise $3K In Komen 5K

BOSTON (CBS) – There are plenty of people who participate in fundraising walks and runs, but this weekend one team is doing something they believe no one has done before.

When this group runs, they keep everyone’s feet tapping.

Running down the streets of the South End, Pattie Lin and the “Uke Runners” belt out their own version of Kung Fu Fighting with Pattie singing and playing ukulele. They’re training for a race to raise money to combat breast cancer.

“This Saturday I am running the Komen 5K for the Cure, but instead of just running, I’m going to be playing the ukulele and singing with a team of 10 other people,” says Lin. You may wonder, why? But for Pattie, it’s why not. “My goal is for everyone who is racing with me or not with me, just anyone helping out with the fundraising to have fun,” she says.

This is the 20th year for the Komen race with donations funding education, screening and treatment programs in Massachusetts.

“Our goal is to raise $3000 by race day and we’re about half way there,” says Pattie. Her teammates not only provide backup singing, they’re raising money as well. “My grandmother had breast cancer too, so it’s near and dear to my heart,” says Matt Emerzian. “We’re raising money doing 2 things we all love; running and singing,” adds Kevin Pao.

Running more than 3 miles is tough enough, but to play and sing at the same time is a whole different thing.

“It’s kind of difficult to coordinate. So I practice doing really hard workouts and then trying to sing immediately afterwards, just to be used to being out of breath,” says Pattie. “She made running fun by singing and being crazy,” says Uke Runner Shannon McBride. “She just goes out and has a great time with everything she does,” adds Kayleigh Rowan.

And when the team joins about 7000 other runners at the start line in South Boston on Saturday, it’s a great time for a great cause.